Santa Monica To Prep Leases for Possible Closure of SMO
City Council agrees to three-year and month-to-month leases, while vowing to pursue options to control fate of Santa Monica Airport.
The Santa Monica city council took the next step toward positioning California's Santa Monica Airport (SMO) for a possible closure, agreeing unanimously to pursue leases that could last the shortest practical amount of time, yield the most revenue for the city and provide the most flexibility. However, the city council declined to act on recommendations to shut down the entire airport or even portions of it; impose new regulations such as a ban on jets; or pursue environmental restrictions. (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)